Optimization of Parameters to Minimize Horizontal Cracking in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) Using Finite Element Analysis
Field evaluation of distresses in continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) indicated that punch-out distress associated with horizontal cracking at the depth of the longitudinal steel is the most severe performance problem in CRCP. A 3-D finite element model was developed for CRCP to evaluate the horizontal cracking potential. The developed 3-D model was used to perform a parametric analysis to determine the effects of critical loading location, concrete properties, and longitudinal steel design on horizontal cracking potential. Numerical analysis indicates that the critical load position for horizontal cracking is at the corner of slab formed by transverse cracks when the concrete slab has a positive temperature differential. The maximum vertical tensile stresses in the concrete were slightly affected by the coefficient of thermal expansion of the concrete. In addition, the critical tensile stresses in the concrete were observed to decrease as the base modulus, slab-base friction, slab thickness, and transverse crack spacing increased. Also, the vertical tensile stresses significantly decreased when the longitudinal steel spacing decreased, while the maximum vertical tensile stresses in the region far away from the tire load were not affected by longitudinal steel spacing. The use of varying longitudinal steel spacing (i.e., small steel spacing under wheel path and wide steel spacing for other region) may be one of the ways to reduce the horizontal cracking potential without changing the steel ratio of the slab.
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Supplemental Notes:
- This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFD50 Standing Committee on Design and Rehabilitation of Concrete Pavements.
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Authors:
- Kim, Kukjoo
- Han, Sangyoung
- Tia, Mang
- Greene, James
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Conference:
- Transportation Research Board 97th Annual Meeting
- Location: Washington DC, United States
- Date: 2018-1-7 to 2018-1-11
- Date: 2018
Language
- English
Media Info
- Media Type: Digital/other
- Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
- Pagination: 8p
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Continuously reinforced concrete pavements; Finite element method; Minimization; Parametric analysis
- Uncontrolled Terms: Horizontal cracking; Reinforcement spacing; Tensile stresses
- Subject Areas: Highways; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01656639
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: 18-00263
- Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
- Created Date: Jan 21 2018 5:53PM